$40.5million boost for Busselton Health Campus

2/12/2010 12:00 AM

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The State Government today announced an all new Busselton health campus to meet the foreseeable needs of locals and visitors to the region, thanks to a $40.5million funding boost from Royalties for Regions.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the additional Royalties for Regions funds’ would increase the budget to $117.9million and provide a new community health centre and new community mental health centre on the existing hospital site.

“The additional $40.5million will provide additional clinical capacity resulting in the new facility having 80 overnight and same day beds,” Dr Hames said.

“There will also be a renal unit, a day surgery unit, ambulatory care centre and a medical imaging department.

“I believe that a growing centre such as Busselton should have a modern health campus and it is a key project of regional significance.”

Dr Hames said an expanded Busselton Health Campus would reduce the number of patients having to be transferred to Bunbury Hospital and provide support to smaller health services in the South-West such as Augusta and Margaret River.

“More Busselton people can receive timely and effective care closer to home and at one integrated hospital,” he said.

“The new campus will be built on the existing Busselton Hospital site in line with the results of the local referendum held by the Shire of Busselton.

“The decision follows consultation with the shire as well as technical, financial and community consultation reports commissioned by the Health Department.”

Dr Hames said the State Government provided the extra $40.5million after considerable discussions with the private sector had not resulted in any private funding for the development.

Construction is expected to start on the new hospital in mid-2012 and it will be completed in 2014.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said Royalties for Regions’ funding was delivering a number of new health initiatives right across regional Western Australia.

“This includes the new Karratha Health Campus, as well as additional funding for hospitals in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Esperance, Albany and Carnarvon and now the Busselton Health Campus,” Mr Grylls said.

Vasse MLA Troy Buswell welcomed the commitment to providing a 21st Century health campus to the Capes region.

Mr Buswell said the funding announcement demonstrated the State Government’s election promise to provide a new health facility on the existing Busselton hospital site